Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (HRI/VCRI) is Sri Lanka's second international airport, located near Hambantota in the Southern Province. It was built as part of a major infrastructure push under President Mahinda Rajapaksa and opened in 2013, designed to relieve pressure on Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo. The airport quickly became internationally known as one of the world's least-used international airports, operating with very few commercial flights despite its significant capacity. At various points it handled only a handful of passengers per day, leading to widespread media coverage about its near-empty terminals. In recent years, there have been ongoing efforts to attract airlines and increase utilization, including discussions about converting parts of the facility for cargo operations or aircraft maintenance. The airport sits amid the broader Hambantota development zone, which includes a Chinese-operated port nearby.